DLSPH
Doctor of Philosophy Social and Behavioural Health
Sciences
Qualifying Examination – Detailed Description
Note: these guidelines were edited in June 2015 for clarification
Overview
The qualifying exam (QE) should demonstrate the student’s capacity for independent scholarly
work and creativity, ability to theorize a topic using a variety of approaches, ability to critically
assess related empirical literature, and from these propose theoretically and methodologically
sophisticated and consistent research questions that would advance the topic area and may be
used for the dissertation. Through this process, the student will demonstrate capacity to identify,
synthesize, and critique the literature within their chosen topic area.
The qualifying exam consists of: i) a written paper and ii) an oral presentation of the paper.
Principles
A number of principles are adopted that will guide the format and approach of the qualifying
exam.
1. Recognizing that prior theoretical understanding and positions shape research questions,
the SBHS QE encourages students to identify a broad topic/problem framing, explore
relevant theoretical perspectives and related empirical approaches, and propose one or
more specific research questions which have the potential of making a significant
contribution to the area of study and could form the basis for their dissertation proposal.
2. The examination, unique to each student, will focus on a problem statement posed by the
student. In addition to the framing of the problem, the examination will establish the
student’s competence within a (sub)field of social and behavioural sciences. The scope of
the QE should be broader than a specific research question (i.e., broader than the research
question around which the dissertation proposal will be subsequently written).
3. The process and product should contribute to a final thesis proposal, but would not be a
replacement for a thesis proposal or proposal defense.
Purpose of the Qualifying Examination
The qualifying exam should demonstrate the student’s capacity for independent scholarly work
and creativity, ability to theorize a topic using a variety of approaches, ability to critically assess
related empirical literature, and from these propose theoretically and methodologically
sophisticated and consistent research questions that may be used for the dissertation. The
examination will occur after all required course work has been completed and prior to proceeding
on thesis work. When the student has successfully passed their written and oral QE, they will
have achieved a “PhD Candidacy,” and will therefore be able to proceed with their thesis work.
Students who fail their QE may re-sit the QE one more time, and must do so within 3 months of
the date of the first examination (see the possible outcomes of the examination section).
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Supervisor and Thesis Committee roles during the QE
It is expected that the student, under the guidance/in consultation with their supervisor, will form a
thesis committee prior to starting the Qualifying Examination process, i.e., within the first 16
months of registration in the PhD program. The student’s supervisor has a key role in the
qualifying examination. The thesis committee will have an active role in defining the scope of the
examination, along with the supervisor.
The preparation of the QE is envisaged as part of the learning experience of the student. The
student is expected to meet with their supervisor once every quarter before the start of the QE
process and at least 2-3 times, or more frequently if necessary, during the preparation of the
outline of the QE to discuss the scope, direction and content. The thesis committee members
should meet at least twice with the student during this period. The supervisor and committee
members will assist in ensuring that there is breadth in the proposed theory and methods related
to the theories to be reviewed. Once the outline has been approved, the student is expected to
write the paper independent of the supervisor and thesis committee (i.e., questions of clarification
of process may be entertained, but supervisor/committee will not comment on drafts).
Timeline
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The Qualifying Exam takes place after all required coursework has been completed and
prior to the beginning of the thesis work.
The preparation for the Exam should be initiated no later than 16 months after entry into
the PhD program and be completed by no later than 24 months from the program start.
It is expected that students will complete the process of preparing an outline for the
examination paper and writing the paper within a 5-month period. The oral examination
should follow two weeks after submission of the paper to the examination committee. A
suggested schedule is as follows: preparation of the outline (3 months), preparation of
the paper (2 months), and oral examination (1 month).
Flex time students will be given a pro-rated timeline.
It is understood that minor variations in the details, timing and manner in which the
various steps are addressed or completed may occur.
Initiation of the Process
After the selection of a topic area and a preliminary review of the relevant literature, the student
will develop an outline for the qualifying paper that addresses the focus, scope, and anticipated
structure of the QE paper, as well as a proposed reading list. The outline should identify the
issue, policy and/or problem and the theoretical approaches to be explored in the qualifying
examination paper. The outline will also include a proposed reference list. This will be done in
consultation with the supervisor and the thesis committee, who will advise the student on the
scope and direction of the outline. The outline will be approved by the supervisor and the
committee members prior to proceeding on the development of the paper. The outline should be
no more than 10 pages in length plus references.
Qualifying Paper – Focus and Content
The maximum word count for the paper is 8000 words, excluding references, figures, tables and
appendices. The final word count should be included at the top of the first page.
An introduction will provide a clear statement of the issue, policy or problem area which the
student plans to examine and how it is relevant to public health. The introduction provides an
overview of the selected topic along with a statement of the rationale for pursing the topic of
interest.
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The paper will provide a concise statement of the focus within which the issue, policy or problem
will be examined.
The paper will identify a number of theoretical perspectives from which the topic can be
considered, and will more specifically examine at least 2 of these. It will situate the main
theoretical perspectives within the broader domain of the field and will indicate what is to be
excluded from the critical analysis and reasons for exclusion.
The paper will also critically examine several methodological approaches that have been applied
when using the theoretical perspectives. The goal of this critical examination is to analyse and
discuss the value, contribution and limitations of different empirical/methodological approaches to
examine the proposed topic.
The paper will propose one or more feasible research questions, which might be undertaken in
future study, and that arise from the broad consideration of the topic gained through the literature
review, theories and methodologies.
In the paper the student will select a specific research question that appears to be promising and
provide a rationale for the selection of this and describe an appropriate methodology. This should
be the research question the student considers him/herself most likely to pursue in the
dissertation.
The final paper will include a full reference list (not bibliography).
The approved outline for the paper is to be included as an appendix.
Submission of the Qualifying Paper
Following the submission of the final paper, there will be an oral examination. Copies of the
written paper should be provided to the supervisor and the thesis committee members, the
examiner external to the committee and to the program director or designate at least 2 weeks
prior to the date of the oral examination.
Oral Examination of the Qualifying Paper
Oral examinations typically last 90 minutes and consist of a presentation, oral examination and
deliberation by the examination committee. The student will make a 20-minute presentation
summarizing the main contents of the paper. Most students utilize a PowerPoint presentation.
During the oral examination, the student will be asked questions by the examiners usually in the
following order: examiner, program director or designate and supervisor/thesis committee.
The program director or designate serves as chair of the examination committee. The thesis
supervisor is responsible for note taking and preparation of list of revisions, if required. The
examiner for the qualifying exam will be chosen by the program director in consultation with the
supervisor. The student may provide suggestions. Preferably, the examiner will be a divisional
member, but examiners from outside the division may be included if necessary for their expertise.
All thesis committee members should attend the oral examination.
a) At the Qualifying Exam there will be three votes:
1. Program Director or designate (1 vote)
2. Supervisor/committee (1 vote)
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3. One examiner with expertise in the topic and/or theoretical approaches and who is
considered to be at arm’s length (1 vote)
b) The decision of the Qualifying Examination Committee is by simple majority. It should be
based on the quality of the paper and the student’s presentation and response to questions.
c) At the completion of the examination, the student will withdraw while the committee reaches its
decision. The Qualifying Examination will be rated by the committee as pass or fail.
The possible outcomes of the examination are:
i.
Pass - no revisions. Suggestions for additional readings may be made; however no
revisions are necessary to the qualifying paper.
ii.
Pass - with revisions. This may include recommendations for revision of the written paper
and may also include requirements for additional reading. Emphasis here should be on
revisions required to establish competence to proceed (as distinct from suggestions for
future work (e.g. thesis proposal)). Written recommendations should be given to the student
at the end of the defense. A revised paper, addressing the required revisions must be
submitted to the supervisor and the thesis committee within one month of the oral
examination. The supervisor and thesis committee should certify to the Program Director
and the Graduate Chair that the agreed upon revisions have been made satisfactorily and
submit a copy of the revised qualifying paper.
iii.
Failure. A failure on either of the two components of the examination (paper and
presentation/examination) will require a re- examination. The student is permitted to re-sit
the Qualifying Examination only one more time and must do so within 3 months of the date
of the first examination. Students must leave the PhD program if they have a second failure
or there is a passage of three months without re-examination (unless a time extension has
been given based on medical or other compelling grounds). The composition of the reexamination committee should remain the same if at all possible. The Program Director, in
consultation with the supervisor, will approve the replacement or additional members of the
examination committee, if required.
The student will be informed of the decision of the Committee at the conclusion of the
examination.
The chair of the examination will complete a form indicating the decision of the examination. On
the form she/he will indicate changes to be made, if any are required, and in the case of a failure,
provide an explanation and reasons for failure.
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